Friends remember UNM student killed in weekend car crash

2 UNM students killed after being hit by stolen car

Two UNM Students are dead after a fatal crash in Albuquerque. Today, one of the suspects accused of hitting them appeared in court. 21-year-old Joshua Leal is being held on a 250-thousand dollar bond, but the parents of one of the girls hit pleaded with the judge, saying that's not enough.

One of the men accused of hitting and killing a group of students appeared in court Sunday.

Police said Joshua Leal was driving a stolen truck when he T-boned the students’ car Friday on Rio Grande Boulevard. University of New Mexico students Matthew Grant and Briana Hilliard were killed in the crash, and two more are recovering for the hospital.

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After the crash, police said Leal and Miguel Hernandez, 16, fled from the scene. They were arrested a short time later.

The judge increased Leal’s bond after one of the victim’s parents spoke up in court and asked for the maximum penalty.

Grant worked as a server at Nicky V’s Pizza in Albuquerque.

“Matt was just the life of the party, super outgoing, super friendly,” friend Ryan Williams said.

Grant’s former boss saw the crash. At the time, she did not know he was in the car.

“He was just everybody's friend. Our guests loved him. He loved being here. and he was really close friends with all of our team here,” Nicki V’s owner, Nicole Villareal, said.

Hillard was remembered at a Saturday vigil, which was organized by her Pi Beta Phi sisters. They sang a song and released balloons.

The two other UNM students in the car, Julia Thompson and Joe Mendoza, are still recovering at the hospital.

According to court documents, Leal told police he smoked marijuana hours before the crash. When investigators searched him, they found marijuana on him.

Leal’s mother called Action 7 News Sunday. She said she wants to apologize to the families of the victims and said her family is hurting too.